by Amy Patrick
“I’ve never seen such a love,” he continued. “It almost makes one wish to experience it… personally.” His tone wasn’t quite sarcastic. It was more like probing.
Shrugging again, I made sure my voice was no-big-deal light. “Not really. I don’t see the point in it.”
The truth was, I was deeply affected by the relationship between the Light King and his betrothed. I’d never felt that way for someone before, and certainly no one had ever felt that way about me—our people didn’t do things that way. Arranged marriages didn’t leave much room for love.
But really, who didn’t want to be loved deeply? Passionately. Irrationally. Just thinking of being held in someone’s arms, being the subject of someone’s adoring gazes, made my chest ache with longing and had me blushing all over again.
I kept my back to Culley. Why didn’t he just leave already? Hadn’t we done enough today to support the ruse of a love-match? Maybe I could just tell him to—
“I think someone’s a closet romantic.”
The whisper just behind my ear startled me. I jumped and spun around, colliding with Culley’s chest.
“What are you doing, creeping up on me?” I yelped.
He grinned and stepped close again, backing me up against the table until the contour of it pressed into my thighs. With one hand on either side of my hips, he leaned over me, forcing me to sit on the table edge and lean back to preserve the distance between our faces.
“Maybe we should take advantage of all those cuddly, sappy feelings you’re having. Your bed was awfully comfortable.” The corner of his mouth and his brow lifted in a suggestive manner.
I raised my hand to slap him, but Culley caught my wrist easily, his grin turning hard. “Don’t let the pink candy hearts in your eyes make you forget who your real friends are—and who the enemy is. The Light Court has never done a bloody thing for us, Angel. And the humans…” He huffed a derisive laugh. “Lad is a damn fool to let himself fall for a girl with even one drop of human blood. It weakens him. Love has made him weak. And it will be his downfall.”
“How would you know?” I challenged. “Have you been burned or something? Why are you such a cynic?”
“Just part of my charm, sweetheart.” He backed away from me a few steps and bowed. “I’ll leave you to your daydreams. See you at dinner.” Then he spun on his heel and left the room.
The obedient daughter in me knew he was right. But another part of me rebelled against his words. From what I’d seen, the Light Court was stable and secure, its people happy. Lad seemed like a solid and just leader. And from what he’d said about her today, Ryann’s love hadn’t weakened him—she made him stronger, better in every way.
I looked at the door where Culley had disappeared. I could never tell him I was having such traitorous thoughts. He’d report me to Mother and Audun faster than I could say “banishment.” And I couldn’t just leave Altum without completing my mission. That would bring the same result—I wasn’t ready or able to live completely on my own, without a family, without a people. And I’d made a deal I couldn’t back out of.
But I didn’t have to do a great job of it, did I?
I felt the corners of my mouth pull up. Maybe there was a way to provide for my mother and technically adhere to the deal with Culley’s father without doing any real harm here. If I refused to use the full power of my glamour against Lad, only I would know. Excitement rippled through my chest.
Yes that’s it. I could go through the motions, make it look convincing, use my gift just enough to prove to my babysitter/chaperone/betrothed that I’d obeyed orders.
For the first time since we’d arrived in this foreign kingdom, I felt a sense of hope. Instead of destroying the new peace between the Dark and Light Kings, instead of killing the love between Lad and his bride, I would strike—but I’d leave only a flesh wound behind.
* * *
My new lightness of spirit evaporated the moment I saw Ryann’s face. Entering the formal dining room of the royal residence, she came straight toward me, as if she’d been waiting for me. She was wearing a nice dress and makeup. From a distance, she looked like a high school student dressed for a dance. But as she got close, her expression was all business.
“Ava. I’d like to speak with you privately.” She slipped a hand around my back and guided me toward the hallway.
Uh oh. She was onto me. My pulse thrummed in my ears as we walked together. I’d heard she had powerful emotional glamour. Had she been able to see right through me from the start? Why had nobody considered that when they sent me into the arena with transparent armor?
“What’s this about?” I asked as soon as we passed through the tall arched doorway into the empty hall.
She stopped and faced me. “This—is about your glamour. And my fiancé.”
“Oh. Well, you don’t have to worry. I’m not—”
She held up a hand in a silencing gesture. “Please just let me speak, and then you can have a turn, okay?”
I nodded.
“I’m not a stranger to glamour. I’ve been on both ends of it and I know how it can affect people’s behavior—and their thoughts and feelings.” She swallowed, took a breath, and went on. “Lad and I have been to hell and back. We have earned our happy ending, and I’m not about to let anything—or anyone—get in the way of that now when we’re so close to it.”
“But I wasn’t planning—”
Again her hand went up, and I subsided.
“I appreciate that Lad is very appealing. I can’t blame anyone for thinking so. But just in case it’s not totally clear to you, he’s taken. I’m not sure what’s going on—or not going on—between you and Culley, but Lad and I are not just betrothed in the Elven tradition. We’re in love. He’s mine. And if you want a fight for him—you’re on.” She let out a breath. “Now. What would you like to say?”
I stood there, shaking my head like an idiot. Her speech had stolen my breath. The sincerity and determination. The passion. My pulse raced as rapidly as my mind.
I wanted to feel that for somebody. I wanted someone to feel it for me.
And to think I’d come here to wipe it out. If my decision hadn’t already been made, I would have made it here and now.
“I promise you, I have no intention of interfering with your relationship. The two of you inspire me, and I wish you only the best.”
For a moment, she studied me—maybe she was reading my emotions? Then her shoulders relaxed, and once again she looked like a high school girl ready for a nice dinner date.
“Great. Let’s go find our seats.” But as we entered the dining room together, she said in the Elven way. And you can tell your frisky fiancé I’ve got my eye on him, too.
Chapter Twelve
Lad
The small dining room was one of my favorite rooms in the palace. And I had my most favorite person with me.
The low lighting gleamed off of Ryann’s beautiful chestnut hair and gilded her bare shoulders. She had surprised me by coming back to Altum tonight—I was concerned about her admitted lack of attention to her schoolwork, but selfishly I’d been thrilled.
I probably would have been “fine” without her for tonight, as she’d said, but I didn’t want to be without her—ever.
The welcome dinner for our new ambassador wasn’t a full scale banquet. I’d scheduled a larger event for a few days from now when Nox and Vancia would return from abroad and pay us a brief visit. Tonight’s gathering was a formal dinner in one of the palace’s more intimate dining rooms. My family had actually shared meals here together throughout my childhood.
The room was long and narrow, anchored by a heavy rectangular table that was lined with ornate high-backed chairs. Above us all, a chandelier made from a tree trunk and its exposed roots dripped with tiny lights, making the occasion feel festive.
My mother and her sister Sofie were there, seated at the far end of the table. The Light Council members were in attendance. I sat at the head of the table
with Ryann to one side of me. Ava sat on my other side, with Culley next to her.
He seemed to appreciate the pomp and circumstance—not to mention the plentiful food and wine—though he always seemed to be having a good time, no matter where he was. Ava was subdued, and on more than one occasion, I noticed her casting wary glances at Ryann.
Everything all right? I asked Ryann.
She cut a side glance at me. Fine. Are you okay?
I nodded. I’d been feeling a little strange earlier in the day, but this evening I was in good spirits. After all, I had the most beautiful date here.
“You look amazing,” I whispered to her, leaning close. Of course I could have said that to her mind-to-mind, but I enjoyed watching the spray of goosebumps that covered her bare skin when my breath caressed her ear.
She leaned a bit closer to me and spoke softly, gazing up into my eyes. “And you—are the sweetest guy in the whole world.”
I grinned, feeling like I’d just swallowed a spoonful of summer sunshine. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for this woman. “I should pay you more compliments,” I teased.
“It’s not that.” She dipped her eyes and wore a secret smile. “It’s everything you do. I can’t wait to be your wife.”
The air left my lungs all at once, leaving me pleasantly lightheaded. She’d never said it quite like that before. Sitting close to her, so delicate and beautiful and sweet-smelling, and knowing that in a few short weeks I’d finally be able to act on all the feelings and distracting thoughts I’d been having, I found it hard not to snatch her out of her chair and carry her to my bedroom right then and there.
I was about to respond—probably with something entirely inappropriate for a public dinner—when Culley spoke up.
“I’m looking forward to my tour tomorrow. Will we get to see the saol water facilities?”
Irritated at having to shift my attention from Ryann to his smug face, I struggled to keep my tone pleasant. “Yes, if you’d like. You’re interested in production?”
“Oh of course. Especially as it’s in such demand now among humans in your—what’s it called Ryann? Marigold Tea?”
“Magnolia Sugar Tea,” she corrected him. “I didn’t think it was especially popular among Dark Elves.”
Since the summer Olympics, fewer and fewer humans were susceptible to glamour because they’d started drinking Ryann’s tea, which contained saol water. That meant the Dark Elves had taken a direct hit—their songs weren’t guaranteed chart-toppers anymore, their movies and TV shows were not as successful as they had been. Of course not everyone drank it, but the number was high enough that its effects were significant.
Culley laughed at Ryann’s statement as if he found her unbearably cute. “Oh, I’m a huge fan. I think you’re quite brilliant for discovering its effects and finding a way to get the word out. Not many humans are so clever—or so beautiful.”
He raised his glass in tribute, and Ryann’s chin dipped modestly.
“Thank you,” she whispered, clearly uncomfortable.
Inside, I was seething with annoyance. But I raised my own glass as well, forcing a smile. “Hear hear. I couldn’t agree more.” I took a sip and then kissed Ryann on the cheek, pulling her a little closer to me.
“How much saol water is actually in the tea?” Culley asked, giving Ryann an interested glance.
“You know I’m not going to answer that.” Her tone was firm but not unfriendly. “It’s a secret recipe.”
“Of course—can’t blame me for trying.” Culley laughed. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to launch a competing brand or anything.”
Ava interjected. “Sweetie, stop teasing Ryann and let her eat.”
Ryann shot Ava a grateful look, and Ava returned her smile warmly. There was definitely something going on between the two girls, though there seemed to be a new understanding between them. I’d have to ask Ryann about it later.
Culley’s expression was not so pleasant. In fact, he nearly glared at Ava and probably said something to her mind-to-mind as well because she flushed and shook her head slightly before dropping her gaze to the tabletop.
She recovered quickly, though. Her tone was bright as she asked me about one of the appetizer offerings on the table. “Life here is so different,” she said. “We make so little of what we use—we’ve gotten so far away from the ways of the first ones. I’m not sure that’s a good thing. Tell me about your food production here. Are you mostly a hunting society or is there a good deal of agriculture as well?”
As I turned to answer Ava’s in-depth question, I saw Culley from the corner of my eye. He was leaning across the table toward Ryann, once again engaging her in conversation. Though I kept a pleasant expression on my face for Ava’s sake, my hand curled into a fist beneath the table.
I sent Ryann a quick message—more eager to act on it than she could possibly imagine. Let me know if he bothers you, and I’ll have him re-seated at the children’s table.
Her answer was immediate and confident, one corner of her mouth pulling up in amusement. Don’t worry about me. This guy doesn’t faze me at all.
Chapter Thirteen
Ryann
It was true. Culley Rune may have been pinned and re-pinned, shared, Tweeted, drooled over non-stop on Instagram, but he did nothing for me.
Sure, he was a beautiful guy, but the Elven world was full of them, and I already had the best of the bunch.
At the moment, Lad was being monopolized by Culley’s counterpart. He and Ava sat close to each other, deep in discussion about the various food courses being brought to the table and the Elven wines that accompanied each one.
The atmosphere in here was intimate, even romantic, resembling photos of wine cellar dining rooms I’d seen online. It was mostly quiet as the majority of the dinner guests communicated with each other mind to mind. Other than the muted clinking of silverware and some soft music piped in from another room, their low voices were the only sound.
Glancing over at the two of them, it was impossible not to notice how lovely they looked together—they were Elven after all, and they were each pretty much the finest the species had to offer. They made a pretty pair.
The sight didn’t bother me as much as it would have before. Not that I fully trusted Ava now—my trust was in Lad. But she had assured me she had no romantic interest in him, and I believed her. Still, I would feel more comfortable if I knew what her glamour was.
Just as I had earlier, I used my own glamour on Ava, reading her emotions as she interacted with Lad. She smiled and laughed, tossing her hair and keeping intense eye contact with him, but there was no real attraction between them. She was either faking the whole siren thing or that was her natural behavior, twenty-four-seven.
She was nervous about something—I couldn’t be sure what. When she cut her eyes subtly to Culley, I assumed it had something to do with him. Maybe she was worried about him being jealous?
She needn’t have worried. He wasn’t paying the least bit of attention to her side of the table. Instead he’d turned the full-wattage of his admittedly dazzling smile in my direction.
“What did you think of Los Angeles, Ryann?”
“It was… interesting. Unfortunately, there was not enough sight-seeing and too much fighting for my life.”
He gave me a mock pout. “That’s a shame. You need to make a return trip. I’ll be happy to show you around. I guarantee you’ll have a better time with me.”
His come-ons were so outrageous, I almost laughed. “I prefer the comforts of home, thank you.”
“Of course. How could anyone not love it here fifty k’s south of Woop Woop?”
Now I did laugh out loud at what I assumed was the Australian term for “the middle of nowhere.”
“If you’re so bored, you can always go back to California.” I raised a challenging brow. “There must be at least a few women in Los Angeles you haven’t hit on yet.”
He smirked. “And leave my ‘dear betrothed?’ How c
ould I possibly bear it?”
In spite of his facetious tone and blasé expression, when I read his emotions I did detect a note of jealousy after all. Did it bother him for Ava to spend time with Lad?
Deciding to test him a bit, I said, “She is lovely. Everyone thinks so.”
Now he allowed his gaze to wander to her. She was leaning toward Lad, head tilted to the side, appearing completely fascinated with whatever he was telling her.
“It’s often the most beautiful roses that hide the most vicious thorns,” he murmured, then held his wine glass aloft, motioning for one of the servers to refill it.
Hmm. An interesting thing to say. Had Ava hurt him? Rejected him in some way? They were betrothed, but with arranged marriages, there was no guarantee of affection or even willingness on either part. I’d learned that from Lad and Vancia’s parent-orchestrated betrothal. We’d been led to believe Ava and Culley were in love and would find it too painful to be separated, but that wasn’t necessarily accurate. Based on the emotions I was picking up from him, it could be one of those unrequited attraction situations.
“Well, I’m not afraid of her thorns,” I said. “I’ve seen worse. And I have some experience with sexual glamour myself. It’s not impossible to resist. Lad may not even be susceptible to it.”
Culley’s eyes widened suddenly and then narrowed as a grin spread across his face. “Oh, you’ve figured out her glamour, have you?”
“Yes, and I’m not threatened. The Dark Council will have to do a little better than that if they want to mess things up in the Light Kingdom.”
Culley made a little tut-tut noise. “I hate to see such an ugly lack of trust in one so pretty. I assure you, we are here as ambassadors, nothing more.”
Care to repeat that in the Elven way? I asked him, taking a sip from my own glass.
“Oh my, the half-breed has some skills.” He nodded deferentially. I’d be delighted to. Your relationship with the Light King makes no difference to me at all. I wish you all the best on your upcoming wedding. May your love last forever. He gave me a deeper nod, almost a bow, and did a little courtly flourish with one hand.
